Segmented insulative device and related kit

ABSTRACT

A segmented insulative device and related kit for insulating components of a thermal distribution system. The kit includes a sheet of segmented insulation formed by a composite layer of segmented, flexible, pre-sewn insulation that is easily cut to size in the field using scissors, utility knives or other simple, hand-held cutting devices. The kit also includes two-sided hook-and-loop straps as fasteners, also easily cut to length, using hand-held devices. The segmented insulation and the hook-and-loop straps are attached to one another in the field using a stapler or other hand-held attachment device. This provides an installation kit that an installer can use to provide a versatile insulation in the form of the assembled segmented insulative device. The segmented insulative device lends itself to quick customization on-site rather than requiring costly off-site manufacture or pre-assembly and subsequent quick installation on the pipe component requiring thermal installation.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to thermal insulation. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to insulative padding andrelated insulation kit for reducing thermal transfer from pipecouplings, valves, and other exposed conduit areas.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the field of thermal insulation, numerous attempts have been made toinsulate conduits to alleviate heat transfer and thereby reduce relatedenergy costs. Such heat transfer may be due to heat loss from heatbearing systems (e.g., steam distribution pipes) or heat gain to coldmaterials (e.g., chilled water distribution pipes). This is most commonwithin industrial, institutional, and/or commercial settings thatinclude thermal energy distribution systems. Straight sections of pipeswithin the distribution system are typically completely encased, oftenpermanently, within a continuous insulation material suitably chosen forhigh heat tolerance. However, such systems often include a variety ofpipe components and equipment including, but not limited to, flanges,valves, valve stems, and steam traps. These components often requiresome level of maintenance. In turn, this requires some level of physicalaccess to the particular component necessitating removal of the thermalinsulation materials.

Removable/reusable insulation blankets, in the form of clamshells, havebeen used to insulate such components requiring periodic and/or frequentaccess. However, most clamshell type of removable/reusable componentinsulation devices are designed to be installed by skilled insulationinstallers and are generally difficult to re-attach by personnelunskilled in pipe insulation due in large part to wire lacing which isnormally cut and discarded during removal. Accordingly, once amaintenance issue occurs at the component site, it is common withinindustrial, institutional, and/or commercial settings to see aninsulation device lying unused nearby. Several such flawed attempts havebeen identified among previous related devices.

One previous attempt at providing pipe insulation is found in U.S. Pat.No. 4,112,967 issued to Withem on Sep. 12, 1978 for a weatherproofinsulated valve cover. The Withem valve cover is for a pipeline andprovided a flexible multi-layered construction shaped to conform tovalves having stub pipe-type valve stem housings. The valve coverincluded a waterproof outer layer of Herculite or the like with one ofthe inner layers being insulation. The cover was easily removable byvirtue of releasable fasteners to permit access to the valve formaintenance.

Another previous attempt is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,207,918 issued toBurns et al. on Jun. 17, 1980 for an insulation jacket. The Burns et al.device is an insulation jacket for use as a valve cover. The jacketincludes a body portion having a central section and two lateralsections. Each of the lateral sections includes an inboard and outboardbelt and each of the belts extends along each of the lateral sections.The ends of each of the belts are adapted to interlock whereby theinsulation jacket may be securely fastened around a valve casting.

Yet another attempt is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,556,082 issued to Rileyet al. on Dec. 3, 1985 for a removable thermal insulation jacket forvalves and fittings. The Riley et al. device is a unitary flexiblethermal insulation jacket for valves and pipe fittings. The jacket isuniversal in the sense that it properly fits valves and pipe fittings ofvarious manufacturers. It is secured snugly to a valve or pipe fittingby attached draw cords, rendering the jacket readily removable andreusable.

Still another attempt is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,925,605 issued toPetronko on May 15, 1990 for a method of forming a heat foam insulationjacket. Petronko discloses a unitary removable and reusable jacket forthe thermal insulation of pipe components. The fully-formedgenerally-rectangular jacket is composed of three layers: a heat andwater resistant outer fabric layer, a hardened rigid-cell polyurethanemiddle layer, and a thin flexible heat-shrinkable plastic inner layer.The inner and outer layers are joined together by perimeter seams and atransverse center seam which forms two pockets adapted to contain thepolyurethane foam middle layer. The inner and outer layers are formed attime of manufacture while the middle layer is formed during theapplication process. During the application process, an exothermicchemical reaction is generated by the combination of the chemicalspolyol and isocyanate which are inserted between the inner and outerlayers through holes contained in the outer layer, to form a rapidlyexpanding and hardening rigid cell polyurethane foam middle layer.During the application of the jacket around the accouterment, inresponse to the exothermic chemical reaction, the inner layer shrinks tofit the exact shape of the underlying pipe, as does the rigid-cellmiddle layer which is being formed. When installation is complete, thejacket may be removed and reused by using pressure to “crack” thetransverse seam dividing the middle layer into two pockets which arepositioned on opposite sides of the accouterment.

Yet still another attempt is found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,025,836 issued toBotsolas on Jun. 25, 1991 for a pipe fitting cover for covering pipefitting. The Botsolas device discloses a rigid or semi-rigid cover forinstallation over an insulated pipe fitting. The cover is pre-cut in thegeometric design that enables it to conform to the shape of the pipefitting when installed.

Still another attempt is found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,394 issued toNygaard on Feb. 3, 1998 for a reusable insulation jacket for tubing. TheNygaard device is a reusable single layer insulation jacket for splicingand termination of industrial tubing, fittings, and valves carryingextreme hot and cold materials comprises a fiberglass mat. The mat is ofa width as to completely wrap the tubing, fitting, or valve and overlapitself. Releasable fastening means securely hold the mat in place toinsulate the tubing, fitting, or valve from fire and to prevent anindividual from otherwise being burned from contacting the tubing,fitting, or valve.

Further still another attempt is found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,287 issuedto Terito, Jr. et al. on Aug. 24, 1999 for a removable reusable pipeinsulation section. The Terito, Jr. et al. device discloses a removablereusable insulating unit suitable for insulating exposed pipe sectionsforming components of an insulated pipe system. The unit includes ahollow body constructed of an insulating material which is capable ofbeing easily cut the hollow body defining an interior and an exterior ofthe insulating unit. The interior is sized to envelop an exposed pipesection on an insulated pipe system. The body has at least two pipereceptor areas and each is sized to accommodate a component of aninsulated pipe system.

The competing requirements of maintaining an enclosed insulation layeryet enabling physical access for component maintenance has led to avariety of removable insulation devices to reduce thermal losses. Thecommon aspect of such existing removable insulation devices is that theyare designed with a particular component in mind and shaped accordingly.That is to say, a typical removable insulative device for exampledesigned for a valve is shaped in such a way that the device is renderedunsuitable for a flanged coupling or a steam trap. This tends to driveup costs to the end user. Oftentimes, an industrial, institutional,and/or commercial user will be required to purchase several differentshapes and sizes for the variety of components found within theirsystem. This can be an unwieldy and costly solution.

It is, therefore, desirable to provide an insulation device that isversatile, cost-effective, and reusable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate at leastone disadvantage of previous insulation devices.

The present invention provides a versatile insulation in the form of asegmented insulative device. Moreover, the segmented insulative devicelends itself to quick customization on-site, rather than requiringcostly off-site manufacture or pre-assembly and subsequent quickinstallation on the pipe component requiring thermal insulation. Thesegmented insulative device is designed for versatility provided by thedevice's embodiment within an installer's kit. The kit to fabricate thesegmented insulative device includes a large sheet of segmentedinsulation, a roll of reusable fastening tape (e.g., two-sidedhook-and-loop type such as Velcro® straps), a cutting mechanism (e.g.,scissors or retractable razor cutter) for cutting suitably-sizedportions of both the segmented insulation sheet and the reusablefastening tape, and a fastener (e.g., stapler or similar fasteningmeans) to connect a section of the reusable fastening tape to thecustom-cut section of segmented insulation. A stapler can be used toattach the hook-and-loop tape to the insulative device to facilitateinstallation and so the two do not become later separated.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a segmented insulativedevice including: a first layer and a second layer each formed from aflexible material, the flexible material being resistant to moisture andheat; an inner layer of flexible insulation held between the first andsecond layers by way of stitching, the stitching forming a cut-site forseparating the segmented insulative device into multiple sections; andone or more fastening mechanisms for securing one or more of themultiple sections to a component of a thermal distribution system.

In a further embodiment, there is provided a kit for on-site fabricationof a segmented insulative device, the kit including: a sheet ofsegmented insulation capable of separation into multiple sections; areusable fastening tape capable of removably securing one or more of themultiple sections upon a component of a thermal distribution system; acutting mechanism capable of separating the sheet of segmentedinsulation into the multiple sections and resizing the reusablefastening tape; and a fastener such as a stapler capable of readilyaffixing the reusable fastening tape to a corresponding one of themultiple sections at the site.

Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparentto those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the followingdescription of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction withthe accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way ofexample only, with reference to the attached Figures.

FIG. 1 is an illustration showing one embodiment of the kit componentsin accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2A illustrates a standard sized sheet of segmented insulation anddetailing sewing patterns in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2B is a cross-section taken across line 2B-2B in FIG. 2A showingcomposite layering.

FIG. 3A is an illustration showing the segmented insulation sheetcutting step using the kit elements as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3B is an illustration showing the fastening tape cutting step usingthe kit elements as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3C is an illustration showing the fastening tape connection stepusing the kit elements as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3D is an illustration showing the fastening tape tab-creation stepusing the kit elements as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3E is an illustration showing three custom assemblies ofdifferently-sized segmented insulative devices in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIGS. 4A through 4E illustrate the step-by-step, on-site installation ofthe three differently-sized assemblies shown in FIG. 3F as applied to avalve component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Generally, the present invention provides a segmented insulative deviceand related kit for insulating certain serviceable components of athermal energy distribution system. Although the invention will bedescribed in terms of insulation in high temperature settings, it shouldbe understood that the present invention is equally useful and suitablefor insulating against heat loss from heat bearing systems (e.g., steamdistribution pipes) or heat gain to cooling systems (e.g., chilled waterdistribution pipes). The present invention provides a versatile,reusable, and cost-effective insulative device useful for a variety ofpipe serviceable components and equipment including, but not limited to,flanges, valves, valve stems, and steam traps. During typicalmaintenance of such components, the present invention ensures easyphysical access to the particular component.

With reference to FIG. 1, there are illustrated the kit elements 10, 11,11 a, 12, and 13 in accordance with the segmented insulative device. Thekit shown is used by an installer to fabricate the segmented insulativedevice on site and typically within an industrial, institutional, and/orcommercial setting. The inventive kit includes a standard sized sheet ofsegmented insulation 10, a supply (e.g., roll 11) of reusable fasteningtape 11 a, a cutting mechanism 12, and a fastening device 13. Morespecifically, the supply of reusable fastening tape is a roll 11 ofsuitably dimensioned (e.g., 1″ to 2″ wide and 10′ to 20′ long) two-sidedhook-and-loop type fastening tape 11 a such as, but not limited to,Velcro® straps with the hooks on one side and the loops on the other. Byuse of the term “reusable,” it should be understood that the tape 11 ais self-sealing or self-adhering in such a manner that it can befastened, unfastened, and refastened many times over.

The cutting mechanism 13 may be a pair of scissors, retractable razorcutter, utility knife, or any similarly durable cutting device suitablefor cutting both the supply of fastening tape 11 a and the sheet ofsegmented insulation 10. The fastening device 13 can be a stapler, rivetgun, or any similarly durable fastening device suitable for connecting asection of the reusable fastening tape 11 a to a custom-cut section ofsegmented insulation 10. For illustrative clarity, a specific stapler13, pair of scissors 12, and roll of hook-and-loop tape 11 a are shownin FIG. 1 though any suitable substitutions may be made for theseparticular kit elements without straying from the intended scope of thepresent invention.

With regard to FIGS. 2A and 2B, detailed illustrations of the segmentedinsulation are shown. FIG. 2A is a top view of a standard sized sheet 20of the segmented insulation. The sheet 20 of segmented insulationresembles in some regard a quilted blanket in that uniform squares orrectangles are formed in a grid pattern across the sheet surface.Although a particular sized sheet is shown having six grids in width andtwelve grids in length, it should be readily understood that anyparticular width and length may be produced without straying from theintended scope of the present invention.

Typically, the whole sheet 20 would be provided within the kit in arolled up fashion. Limiting factors in terms of whole sheet dimensionsmay include the length and weight of any given rolled sheet of segmentedinsulation. Indeed, smaller rolls may be less difficult for an installerto carry through cramped quarters among thermal piping, though largerrolls may afford the installer more sizing variations. Accordingly, easeof use and portability are factors in determining a standard size forthe rolled sheet of segmented insulation and such standard may varyaccording to any given industrial, institutional, and/or commercialapplication. FIG. 2A is therefore only one example of a standard sizesuch that the sheet may alternatively be 4′×8, 2′×8′ or any desireddimension. When considering the whole sheet and the given weightconstraints for any particular application, it should also be understoodthat, for example, a 2′×16′ sheet would weigh the same as 4′×8′.Therefore, it should be readily apparent that the whole sheet ofsegmented insulation may be provided in a variety of standard sizes.

With regard to FIG. 2B, a partial cross section is illustrated from theview taken along line 2B-2B in FIG. 2A. The composite layering of thesegmented insulation is visible here such that a middle layer 201 ofinsulation is sandwiched between two outer layers 200 of material thatmay be selected from heat resistant or heat and moisture resistantmaterial. In practice, the two outer layers 200 would be formed fromheat resistant material and either one or both layers may be coated witha moisture resistant coating depending upon the givenimplementation—e.g., a steam pipe implementation within a dampenvironment may require would both layers 200 to be moisture and heatresistant whereas a steam pipe implementation within a generally dryenvironment may only require the layer adjacent the steam pipe toinclude moisture resistance. Thus heat and moisture resistance may varyin regard to the given layer (i.e., “inner” or “outer” exposure) andrelated implementation without straying from the intended scope of thepresent invention.

The insulation may be any suitable insulative material including, butnot limited to, fiberglass, aramid, silica, aerogel, or any otherflexible insulation material. In the instance of fiberglass, suitablefiberglass insulation for the middle layer 201 can include a fiberglassdensity of between 1 and 2 pounds per cubic foot and may be needled orbonded so as to maximize its insulation value. The outer layers 200 ofmoisture and heat resistant material may be fabricated from any flexiblematerial suitable for continuous exposure to temperatures up to andexceeding 500 degrees Fahrenheit. The outer layers 200 can include abase fabric capable of continuous use at 500 degrees Fahrenheit havinguncoated weights ranging between six and sixty ounces per square yard.Such base fabric may be, but not limited to, fiberglass material. Aswell, such base fabric may be coated with suitable heat resistantmaterials that may include, but are not limited to, high temperaturecoatings of heat resistant rubbers or silicone compounds.

With further regard to FIG. 2B, there are areas visible that are ofreduced thickness 20 a. Such thinner areas 20 a are formed by theparallel rows of sewing thread 20 b. This creates the aforementioned“quilted” characteristic, and more importantly creates a cut-line guidefor the installer. Such cut-line is the center point between the twoparallel rows of sewing thread 20 b. In another embodiment, a third sewnline may be provided at the center point between the two parallel rowsof sewing thread 20 b such that three rows of stitching are actuallyprovided. In this manner, the cut-line would be the center stitchingline. Preferably, an installer would cut along such center point in thefield. However, the sewing thread 20 b will remain intact and preventloss of the flexible insulation 201 from between the two outer layers200 so long as the installer cuts between the parallel rows of sewingthread 20 b. That is to say, minor deviation from a cut along the centerpoint is tolerable without straying from the intended scope of thepresent invention. This allows for imperfect field cutting techniqueduring installation without any impact on the installed segmentedinsulative device.

It should be understood that the sewing thread used should be formedfrom moisture and heat resistant material suitable for continuousexposure to temperatures up to and exceeding 500 degrees Fahrenheit.Such suitable materials may include, but are not limited to, hightemperature filaments. Possible filament materials include, but are notlimited to, aromatic polyamides and fiberglass that may be treated witha polytetrafluoroethylene coating or any other suitable sewing threadthat will withstand the temperatures of the given implementation.

Although FIG. 2B shows only one layer of fiberglass 201 sandwichedbetween two outer layers 200, it should be understood that any suitablecomposite of additional layers may be possible and preferable fordifferent working environments—e.g., extreme humidity conditions. Aswell, multiple sections of segmented insulation can be used such thatthey are installed upon one another to create an increased insulativeeffect. In such instance, the multiple sections of segmented insulationcan be overlapped in such a manner that staggers the thinner areas 20 acompressed by the sewing thread 20 b.

As mentioned above, the sheet of segmented insulation 20 can be formedin any standard size suitable for the given application. Likewise, thesewing threads 20 b may be spaced such that the non-compressed areas inFIG. 2B are generally square or generally rectangular and formed in anysuitable size—e.g., 4″×4″, 4″×6″, 8″×8″, . . . etc. However, for mostversatility it is preferable that the non-compressed areas are a squaredimension of between 4″ and 9″. The segmented pattern effectively meansthat the segmented insulation 20 can be cut along the small separation20 a between sewing threads 20 b so that there is minimal exposure ofthe inner insulation 201 and still provide a snug fit upon installation.The small section 20 a between the sewing threads 20 b is variable uponinitial manufacture. However, a range of between 0.5″ to 1″ ispreferable because larger values will leave more insulation 201 exposedand would waste materials, whereas smaller values would make fabricationmore difficult.

The inventive aspects of the segmented insulative device formed by thekit elements 10, 11, 11 a, 12, and 13 described with regard to FIGS. 1,2A, and 2B include the ease by which the segmented insulative device isinstalled, uninstalled, and reinstalled. This contributes to theinvention's significant reusability and related cost-effectiveness.Installation using the kit elements 10, 11, 11 a, 12, and 13 will now bedescribed with regard to FIGS. 3A through 3E in terms of preliminarysizing and FIGS. 4A through 4E in terms of actual installationtechnique. It should be understood that these installation figuresrepresent but one installation example and relate to a custominstallation for an in-line valve 400, 401 of a generally “T” shapedconfiguration. Many other configurations and custom installations arepossible and will become readily apparent to one of skill in the artupon consideration of the installation details herein below.

Preliminary to any installation, an installer 100 will measure theportions of the pipe and/or pipe component (e.g., valve 400, 401)desired to be covered by the segmented insulative device. Once measured,the installer 100 will translate such measurements to the portion(s) ofthe whole sheet of segmented insulation. With regard to FIG. 3A, theinstaller 100 then uses the scissors 12 and proceeds with cutting therequired portion(s) of the whole sheet 30 of segmented insulation. Oncethe required portion(s) 31 are cut, the installer 100 will then obtain asuitable length of hook-and-loop tape 11 a as shown in FIG. 3B from theroll 11 provided in the kit.

The cut length of hook-and-loop tape 11 a is then fastened to therequired portion(s) 31 of segmented insulation by the installer as shownin FIG. 3C. Fastening of the hook-and-loop tape 11 a can be accomplishedstaples via stapler 13. Such staples are preferably capable of use inhigh humidity/steam environment. To reduce tangling and also to providea firmer hold for the installer 100, the loose end of the hook-and-looptape may be doubled back and stapled to itself as shown in FIG. 3D aselement 11 b. The resulting assortment of assembled and custom-sizedsections 31, 32, 33 of the segmented insulative device are shown in FIG.3E prior to installation.

With regard to FIG. 4A, the smallest section 31 of FIG. 3E is shownwrapped and strapped to the uppermost area 400 of the valve. Thehook-and-loop tape 11 a may be strapped either tightly or loosely aroundthe section of segmented insulative device depending on whether theinstaller intends for the valve to be usable without removal of thesegmented insulative device. In FIG. 4B, the installer is shown to wrapand strap the next largest section 32 of FIG. 3E to the slightly widerbase area of the valve. It should be understood from the figures thatthe hook-and-loop tape 11 a is typically not in contact with the areasof highest temperature which would be adjacent or contacting the valveor pipe. As such, the hook-and-loop tape 11 a should be capable ofcontinuous use at temperatures less than 500 degrees Fahrenheit and moreakin to 325 degrees Fahrenheit surface temperature.

In FIG. 4C, the installer 100 is placing the largest section 33 of FIG.3E into place around the in-line section 401 of the valve. In suchsituation, it should be noted that a better fit has been enabled by theinstaller 100 snipping several inches into edges of the central seams ofthe largest section as shown as element 33 a. This allows the lateralareas 33 a of the largest section 33 to be held securely by thehook-and-loop tape 11 a against the adjacent pipe insulation 402, 403 asseen in FIG. 4D. Likewise, this also allows the valve base area of thelargest section 33 to overlap (at 33 a) the previously installed nextsmaller section 32 and to also be held securely thereupon by thehook-and-loop tape 11 a as seen in FIG. 4E.

Accordingly, this completed installation (illustrated by the exampleseen in FIG. 4E) of the segmented insulative device by an installerusing the kit in accordance with present invention results in acost-effective, removable, and customizable manner of insulating thermalpipes that is applicable to many different configurations andindustrial, institutional, and/or commercial applications. Moreover, theinstaller by way of the present inventive kit has the ability tomeasure, cut, and install the segmented insulative device on-sitewithout any need to return to a workshop for fabrication such as sewingor molding. In addition to the kit components described above, the kitmay further include an installation manual and/or a material quantityestimating software program or manual worksheet.

The above-described embodiments of the present invention are intended tobe examples only. Alterations, modifications and variations may beeffected to the particular embodiments by those of skill in the artwithout departing from the scope of the invention, which is definedsolely by the claims appended hereto.

1. A kit for on-site fabrication of a segmented insulative device, saidkit comprising: a sheet of segmented insulation capable of separationinto multiple sections; a reusable fastening tape capable of removablysecuring one or more of said multiple sections upon a component of athermal distribution system; a cutting mechanism capable of separatingsaid sheet of segmented insulation into said multiple sections andresizing said reusable fastening tape; and a fastener capable ofaffixing said reusable fastening tape to a corresponding one of saidmultiple sections.
 2. The kit as claimed in claim 1, further includingan installation manual for instructing a user on assembly of saidsegmented insulative device formed by said multiple sections and saidreusable fastening tape so as to insulate said component of said thermaldistribution system.
 3. The kit as claimed in claim 2, further includinga material quantity estimator for instructing said user on sizing saidsegmented insulative device prior to said assembly of said segmentedinsulative device.
 4. The kit as claimed in claim 3, wherein said sheetincludes a first layer and a second layer each formed from a flexiblematerial, said flexible material being resistant to moisture and heat,and an inner layer of flexible insulation held between said first andsecond layers by way of stitching, said stitching forming a cut-site forseparating by way of said cutting mechanism said segmented insulativedevice into said multiple sections.
 5. The kit as claimed in claim 4,wherein said first layer, said inner layer, and said second layer form aflexible composite through which said layers said stitching is arrangedin a grid pattern formed by groupings of closely spaced parallel seams.6. The kit as claimed in claim 5, wherein said flexible material thatforms said first layer and said second layer is a heat resistant fabriccoated with a moisture and heat resistant coating.
 7. The kit as claimedin claim 6, wherein a portion of said reusable fastening tape is affixedto a corresponding one of each said one or more multiple sections andsized in such a manner so as to allow said portion of said reusablefastening tape to wrap around said corresponding one of each said one ormore multiple sections while in place over said component of saidthermal distribution system.
 8. The kit as claimed in claim 7, whereinsaid cut-site is located and forms a spacing between said stitching thatestablishes said closely spaced parallel seams.
 9. The kit as claimed inclaim 8, wherein said spacing is a predetermined value in a range from0.5 inches to 1.0 inches.
 10. The kit as claimed in claim 9, whereinsaid groupings of closely spaced parallel seams are separated by adistance in a range between 4.0 inches and 12.0 inches.
 11. The kit asclaimed in claim 8, wherein said spacing is at least 0.5 inches saidgroupings of closely spaced parallel seams are separated by a distancein a range between 4.0 inches and 12.0 inches.
 12. The kit as claimed inclaim 11, wherein said fastener is a stapler and said kit includesstaples capable of use within said stapler for affixing said reusablefastening tape to said corresponding one of said multiple sections.